SASKATCHEWAN INCORPORATION
Incorporate Named or Numbered Company
Name Reservation Available
Rush Services
What is Required to Incorporate in Saskatchewan
- A minimum of one person can incorporate in Saskatchewan
- 25% of the individual directors are required to be Canadian citizens or residents
- You can choose either a named or numbered company
- A physical address in Saskatchewan is required for the corporate address, records office and mailing address for the corporation
- A Request for name Availability Search and Reservation is mandatory for a Saskatchewan named corporation
- Each director is not required to have a physical address in Saskatchewan
- The business name can be English or French or a combination of both
Choosing a Business Name for Incorporation
When incorporating in the Province of Saskatchewan, a name reservation is mandatory and must be submitted to the corporate registry for approval prior to the incorporation being processed with the Province.
The business name is required to have three main elements. Those being a distinctive, descriptive and legal elements. It is important to provide a business name that provides all 3 elements to gain name approval from the Province. Examples of each are provided below.
| Distinctive Element | Descriptive Element | Legal Element |
|---|---|---|
| Sam’s | Tool Shop | Inc. |
| Crest | Restaurant | Ltd. |
| Precision | Technology and Marketing | Corporation |
Request for Name Availability Search and Reservation Obtaining Name Approval by the Province of Saskatchewan (Mandatory)
The Province of Saskatchewan allows you to request ONE business name. This mandatory report only searches the incorporated names within the Information Services Corporation in the Province of Saskatchewan. The name approval is at the discretion of the Province of Saskatchewan and does not warrant any issue over name conflict. The government fee is $71.94. Our office will assist you in providing the Name Availability proposal and acceptance.
Obtaining a Preliminary NUANS Search (Optional)
When completing the mandatory Name Approval with the Saskatchewan government, there are many areas of information not provided within their search and analysis including if there are existing Federal corporations or Canadian trademarks along with business names within most jurisdiction in Canada. To obtain a better view of existing businesses in Canada, it may be suitable to complete this secondary search request for further insight and analysis into any potential conflicts to your proposed name.
Numbered Incorporation
You may wish to incorporate a numbered corporation in Saskatchewan. The corporate number is provided by the Province of Saskatchewan. The legal element is to be chosen by you. An example of this is 01234456 Saskatchewan Ltd.
Legal Element options in the Province of Saskatchewan
The options available for the legal ending of the incorporating business are as follows:
Limited, Limitee, Ltd., Incorporated, Incorporee, Corp., Corporation or Corp.
Language for the Corporate Name
The name of the corporation may contain English, French or a combination of both languages
Who Can be a Director or Officer of the Corporation?
The individual/s listed as either a director or officer of the corporation must be a minimum of 18 years of age, not considered incapable of managing ones’ own affairs by a court, does not have a status of an undischarged bankruptcy, and not be convicted of any prior offence related to a corporation or any offence involving fraud. It is mandatory that 1 director or 25% of the directors be residents of the Province of Saskatchewan, or alternatively establishing a Power of Attorney.
If you have only one director, that individual is required to be a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident.
Who Can be Shareholders?
A minimum of one shareholder is required at all times for the corporation.
Does the Incorporation Have to be Refiled or Renewed Over Time?
The incorporated company is continual meaning it is never required to be refiled or renewed. There are the one time fees of setting up the incorporated company and the corporation will continue to be in existence as long as you wish. If at some point you wish to stop to operate the business, a dissolution would be required to end the existence of the incorporated company.
What is the Difference Between a Named and Numbered Incorporation?
A named corporation is a business name that you have chosen to use to represent your business identity. It is important that the business name is unique especially considering the volume of businesses in existence. The name should be distinctive, descriptive and have a legal ending. An example would be Meteor Fabrications Inc. A numbered company provides a number of digits to the corporation with Saskatchewan and a legal ending. An example would be 123456 Sask. Ltd.
Why Choose a Named Incorporation?
Choosing a named incorporation provides name protection for that business name within the Province of Saskatchewan. If someone chooses to register or incorporate a similar named business, you may have the legal right to require name change to the similar named business.
Why Choose a Numbered Incorporation?
A numbered incorporation is very generic. It offers the opportunity to individuals who wish to incorporate but are not planning on advertising a corporate name. These may include individuals who have real estate properties, a holding company, an investment company or are buying a franchise where the name has been protected by the franchise holder. Alternatively, if you wish to operate multiple business in different areas of business, a numbered corporation can provide a generic identity and singular or multiple businesses may be registered under the corporation.
What is a Nuans Preliminary Search?
In Saskatchewan as an option of the Incorporation process, a federal biased Nuans preliminary is recommended. This search provides similar small businesses, corporations and trademarks to your proposed corporate name. We will search the Nuans databank initially to ensure that the business name you are providing appears to be unique from existing businesses within the Nuans system including jurisdictions outside of the Province of Saskatchewan. If your chosen name does not appear to be available, you are able to provide a new name to us at no additional cost.
How do I Choose a Business Name?
The corporate name should comprise of 3 unique properties. They are as follows:
- Distinctive element – This is usually the primary keyword to the business name. It is the businesses main identifier.
- Descriptive element – This provides what type of industry or business you are in
- Legal element – This is the ending to the business name that secures that the business is an incorporated company. There are many legal ending options.
All are available for you to choose from. They are as follows: Limited, Limitee, Ltee, Ltd., Corp., Corporation, Inc., Incorporated, Incorporee ULC, Unlimited Liability Corporation
Examples of business names:
| Distinctive | Descriptive | Legal |
|---|---|---|
| Anderson | Natural Foods | Ltd. |
| Golden | Technology | Inc. |
| Aspirations | Massage | Corporation |
Registered office address: This is the office address where legal documents can be delivered. It must be in Saskatchewan and is required to be a physical address. This address is available to the public.
Mailing address: The mailing address is where the company will receive its mail, including correspondence regarding annual report filing reminders and any notices of dissolution from the Information Services Corporation with the Saskatchewan government. This address is NOT required to be within the Province of Saskatchewan. This address may include a postal box.
Choosing Directors of the Corporation
The directors of the corporation are the individuals who administer the affairs of the corporation and make all major decisions for the corporation. You may incorporate with a single individual (director) who is a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Residents. Directors may also hold the positions of shareholders and officers of the corporation.
Choosing Shareholders of the Corporation
The shareholders of the corporation include the individual/s who hold shares within the corporation. These individuals may be the owners of the corporation, investors, or family members of the owners who participate within the corporation. Typically, a shareholder will have a financial stake within the corporation and the shares of the corporation reflect at what percentage. A minimum of 1 shareholder is required for the corporation.
Share Structure for Corporation
The share structure of the corporation is the overall view of how shares are going to be distributed among the shareholders. We provide a standard template of either 1 or 2 classes of shares available to you or if you wish you can provide your own custom share structure for the corporation.
Annual Return
It is mandatory and due within 30 days of it’s anniversary month. If late, is subject to additional fees. If not received within two months, the corporation will be struck.
Adding a Business Registration Under your New Incorporated Company
What is a Business Registration?
A Business Registration allows you to operate a secondary business name under your newly incorporated company.
If you wish to operate your corporate name without the legal ending for signage/advertising
Example
ABC Holdings Inc. carrying on business as ABC Holdings
If you wish to use a shorter version of your corporate name for signage/advertising payments for clients
Example
Meteor Publishing Inc. carrying on business as Meteor
IF you wish to operate a secondary business name that is different from the corporate name
Example
Meteor Publishing Inc. carrying on business as Meteor Web Design or ABC Graphics
Name Approval
When completing a Business Registration name under the corporation, a Name Approval is also required for this business name.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office.
Government Fees
Incorporation Fees $255.00
Gazette Fee $ 15.00
Incorporation Name Approval $ 71.94
Business Registration Fees $ 60.00
Gazette Fee $ 15.00
Business Registration Name Approval $ 71.94
Ontario Business Central Inc. is not a law firm and cannot provide a legal opinion or advice. This information is to assist you in understanding the requirements of registration within the chosen jurisdiction. It is always recommended, when you have legal or accounting questions that you speak to a qualified professional.